A right of way (ROW) is an allowance given by a private property owner to the municipality or government to enter on to their private property for a municipal purpose such as water, sewer, road access and other utility services.

The Permits section is here to ensure all construction that occurs within the City meets the minimum standards for life and health safety as prescribed in the BC Building Code, the Safety Standards Act, the BC Electrical Code and the Gas Code.

You can obtain a photocopy of your legal plan showing the lot dimensions at the Engineering Department front counter for $1.00 (dimension information is not available by phone or by fax). To locate your property line pegs, look on your legal plans. If you are unable to locate the pegs using this information, you will have to hire a private land surveyor to resurvey the property and place new pegs. Local land survey offices are listed in the yellow pages.

Information in regards to what you can build, permitted uses, required setbacks and building heights on your lot is specified in our Zoning Bylaw. We encourage you to contact the Planning Department at 604-467-7341 or check out the City's Zoning Bylaw

Lot-specific information and regulations are outlined in our Zoning Bylaw. However, due to the highly complex and legal nature of the information in this bylaw, interpretation can be difficult, especially if you're unfamiliar with zoning-related information. To ensure you have accurate information on "how big" you can build on your lot, please visit City Hall and talk to the Planning Department or contact them by phone at 604-467-7341. Zoning Bylaw

Depending on the age of your house, a site survey, which shows the forms / foundation placement on the lot, may be available at the Permits section counter. Homeowners can obtain a copy of their site survey by showing proof of ownership. Realtors and prospective buyers need to show us the purchase agreement.

The maximum height for a fence varies depending on the lot, its zoning, and where on the lot the proposed fence is to be located. Contact the Planning Department at 604-467-7341 for more specific information.

Inspections are typically conducted between 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, Monday - Friday. As inspection levels are usually quite high, it is hard to give a more accurate time than either am or pm. Where practical and possible, every effort is made to tailor inspection times to the specific needs of the permit holders.

All approved permits and supporting documents are required to be on site. Also, the final approval slip for all other permits, (plumbing, gas, electrical, sprinkler) are to be on site for this inspection.

Our mapping system, along with Ridgeview's, identifies those lots which may be potentially impacted by high water levels. It is recommended you contact the Permits section for a final determination until all applicable literature is updated.

If our records contain a set of the house plans, homeowners may obtain a copy by making a request at our Permits section front counter (you must show proof of ownership). Cost depends on the number of pages to be copied. Staff will let you know at the time of your request what the applicable fees will be. An occupancy permit may be obtained in the same way at a cost of $10.00.

The size of an accessory building is based on the size of the property and the zoning of the property. Contact our Planning Department (604-467-7341) with the address of the property and staff will be happy to help you. If you have the current coverage of the house and other buildings currently on the property, we can provide you with a more accurate answer other than just the permitted percentage coverage of the site.

Our bylaws require that all surface water be retained on the property. If you have concerns that this may not happen, contact our Permits section with the address of where construction is taking place and staff will place a note on the file to ensure this item is noted as being a potential concern.

Geotechnical engineers are required to ensure the ground being constructed on is able to support the loading of the proposed building. Also, it is to ensure the construction does not negatively impact your property or adjacent properties.

Retaining walls require a building permit if they are going to be more than 0.6 metres in height, either as one wall, or in combination with other walls unless they are suitably spaced. Retaining walls over four feet in height are not permitted on residentially zoned properties except those constructed as a condition of subdivision approval or those approved by a building inspector when specific conditions are met. Retaining walls over 1 metre require structural design and review by a professional engineer.

Owners of detached single-family dwellings are permitted to perform work on their own plumbing systems providing they meet the following criteria:

As the owner, you must live in or intend to live in the dwelling upon completion

No person other than a member of your immediate family will, with or without compensation, assist with the plumbing work

You must further certify that there is no other dwelling or premises directly attached to your dwelling

You are not preparing the building for sale or rent or for occupancy by anyone other than yourself and your household

A signed declaration of these conditions, as well as a schematic of the proposed work is required. Owners are required to satisfy the building inspector of their competency. For more information, please contact the Permits section at 604-467-7311.

A right of way (ROW) is an allowance given by a private property owner to the municipality or government to enter on to their private property for a municipal purpose such as water, sewer, road access and other utility services.

Property encumbrances such as right of ways and easements may be viewed at our Engineering Department counter as they have copies of most right of ways and can tell you what they are for. Copying is not permitted. If you require a copy of any of these plans, they can be obtained from the Land Title Office at the following location:

300 - 88 Sixth Street

New Westminster, BC V3L 5B3

You can contact the Land Title Office general inquiries phone line at 604-630-9630 or 1-877-577-LTSA (5872).

If you need to locate your service connection - water, sanitary or storm you can visit the Engineering counter at City Hall or phone 604-467-7339. If you are unable to locate the connection, you may call our Operations Centre at 604-463-9581 for assistance.

If you need to turn your water off, you will find that most homes have a main water shut off which is located where the water connection enters the house, usually in the basement or crawlspace. You can shut off the water supply to the house by closing this faucet handle. If there is a leak or break which requires the water to be shut off at the property line, a water shut-off key can be borrowed from the Operations Centre.

If you need to report an after hours public works emergency, please call the Operations Centre emergency line at 604-463-9581.

An easement is an agreement between two private property owners whose properties adjoin. This agreement gives private property owners with adjoining properties access to each other's property for a predetermined purpose.

If the easement is required due to work being done through the City, they will assist you with the procedure. If the easement relates to a private arrangement between two neighbours, you will be required to contact a private lawyer for assistance.